Finger piece



Patented Oct. 24, 1939 PATENT OFFiCE FINGER PIECE Amadeus G. Dalmas, Oakland, Calif., assignor of one-half to Rose R. Thcmasson, Oakland,

Calif.

Application October 4, 1937, Serial No. 167,127

4 Claims.

The invention relates to a finger piece arranged to be lattached to the linger or thumb of a person and having as a part thereof a trimming or other device.

Another object of the invention is to provide a finger piece of the character described, in which the trimming or other device, and the means for attaching the finger piece in position, are so associated that when the finger piece is operatively 0 held on the nger, the trimming or other device will be necessarily positioned to insure the most effective operation or functioning thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a linger piece of the character having a nailtrimming or filing device thereon which forms a part of the means for holding'the finger piece on the persons finger.

A further object is to provide a finger piece of the character described in which the filing device is not only formed to most effectively assist in holding the device on the finger, but will be most adapted to permit proper trimming or filing of all portions of the nails and of the nails of each of the fingers.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an article of the character described in which the finger engaging portions thereof are so formed as to not only insure effective retention of the article on the finger, but to provide comfort for the wearer during the use thereof.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the following description of the preferred form of the invention which is illustrated in the drawing accompanying and y forming part of the specification. It is to be understood, however, that variations in the showing made by the said drawing and description may be adopted within the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.

Referring to said drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the nger piece of my invention, parts being broken away and shown in section.

Figure 2 is an end view of the article.

Figure 3 is avbottom view of the article as viewed from Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the article showing same in use.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of modified form of the invention.

The device of my invention as illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive, is formed of a blank of sheet material preferably in one piece and of steel. Two main portions make up the article,

one a body 2, and the other a pair of resilient tongues 3 which extend from the body. In the form of the invention being now described, the device is arranged for mounting on the thumb of the user, and in accordance therewith the body 2 is dished so as to generally conform with the surface of the thumb on the inner side of the hand. Likewise, the body 2 conforms generally in size and outline to the portion of the thumb between the joint and outer end, as it is against the inner side of such portion of the thumb that the body is arranged to fit.

The tongues 3 which as here shown extend from the side edges 5 of the body, are formedy relatively narrow throughout their length so as to render them springlike, and are bent toward each other so that, together with the body portion from which they extend, a ring is formed which may be slipped over the thumb to thereby position the article and hold same firmly on the thumb.

On the bottom or outer side 'l of the body, there is provided an abrasive surface here shown as a le 8 suitable for trimming or shaping finger nails. The file surface may be provided by knurling formed directly on the body, particularly in case the material out of which the article is made, is of steel or other material suitable for such purpose. As will be clear from Figure 3, the iile area is practically co-extensive with entire face of the side "l, and the working surface presented by the file is convex in conformity with the surface of the thumb over which it is arranged to be positioned. It will thus be clear that with the article of my invention operatively positioned on the thumb, the effect is to virtually provide the thumb with a filing or trimming surface.

As will be clear from Figure 2, the tongues are bent transversely so that the surface engaging the thumb will taper inwardly toward the end 9 of the body arranged to lie adjacent the outer end of the thumb. In this way, not only do the tongues better conform to shape of the thumb, but the inward displacement of the article on the thumb will be more effectively resisted. Particularly is this feature important, since the file is cut or formed to effect the abrasive or filing action mainly upon a forward movement of the devlce.

In use of the device, the thumb is inserted between the tongues until the body 2 covers the inner surface of the thumb between the joint and outer end. Normally such positioning of the device will set the tongues at suiiicient tension to retain the device rmly in position. When it is desired to then use the rile to trim the nails, a nger of the hand other than the one on which the device is positioned, is placed under the body with the nail thereof against the file as indicated in Figure 4. The thumb is then moved forwardly over and along the edge of the nail of the finger to effect the abrasive action somewhat in the same manner as done with a conventional le when held between the fingers of the user. Very easy and effective use of the device is facilitated by supporting the finger with the nail being trimmed, by the index and middle fingers of the hand containing the device.

As designed, the device permits uses other than for filing the nails. For example, by reason of the fact that the outer edge 9 of the body is made in general conformity with the curvature of the outer end of the thumb, such curved portion may when the device is removed from the thumb be used for backing the cuticle from off `the nail. Also since the other end Il) of the device is drawn to a point in order to avoid a surplus of material of the body 2 at the thumb joint when the latter is flexed during the use of the device, such end may be effectively used as a pick for removing foreign matter from inside the nails.

In I Figure 5 I have shown the iinger piece as not only equipped with a iile portion 8', but with a tubular extension i2 suitable for receiving and holding a pencil stub such as indicated at i3. In this form of the device, the body 2 and tongues 3 are formed so as to fit over the end of a nger rather than of a thumb; however, the general structural and functional characteristics of the corresponding parts of the first described embodiment are retained. The extension i2 is located at the forward end of the device and formed of resilient portions for engaging the pencil and which define a split tube with its axis extending generally longitudinal of the'device. This form of the device, in addition to permitting the use of the device for filing, etc., enables the user to write with the pencil Without having to grip the ber a means for resiliently holding said member in position on said segment, and a filing surface longitudinally arrangedon the other side of said member. l

2. In a nger piece of the character described, a body-member of a size and shape in general conformity with the inner side of an outer finger segment, a pair of resilient arms connected to said body and conforming generally to the shape of the outer side of said finger segment adjacent the finger nail thereon and arranged to grip said segment, and a filingV surface carried by said member and covering substantially an entire sideV thereof. A

3. Ina finger piece of the character described, a body member of a size in general conformity with an outer finger segment, one end ofnsaid member being relatively pointed and the other end substantially curved in conformity with the free] end of said segment, a filing surface substantially completely covering one side of said body, and a pair of resilient tongues extending mediately from the side edges of said body and arranged With said body to embrace said segment.

4. In a finger piece of the character described, a concave body member adapted to conform to the shape and size of the inner surface of an end finger segment, a plurality of resilient tongues attached to said body and adapted to engage saidl` finger segment, and file means carried by saidA body. AMADEUS G. DALMAS. 

